Microsoft disables editing in Office 2019 for Mac July 13

Microsoft will disable the ability to edit, save, or create new documents in Office 2019 for Mac starting July 13, 2026, a move the company attributes to an expiring security certificate. The change will also affect outdated Office apps on iPhones and iPads, placing the software into a "reduced functionality mode" where users can only open, view, and print existing files.

The issue stems from a digital certificate used to validate software licenses. Microsoft has renewed this certificate and updated its newer software versions to recognize it, but Office 2019 for Mac, which reached its official end of support in October 2023, cannot receive the necessary update. The company states there is no update path for an out-of-support product. This situation impacts the core applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

Microsoft is directing affected users toward several alternatives. They can subscribe to Microsoft 365, purchase the newer one-time purchase version Office 2024 for Mac, or use the free web-based versions of the Office apps through a browser. Users of the still-supported Office 2021 for Mac or Microsoft 365 subscribers must ensure they are running updated...